Vancouver Police are investigating after a pair of disturbing and apparently random attacks against elderly women on the west side that may be linked.

Police say the first incident happened around noon, on West Broadway near Ash St. Investigators say an 84-year-old woman was sitting on her walker waiting for a ride, when a man walked up, kicked her off her seat, and walked away.

She suffered a broken elbow, and is now recovering in hospital.

Two elderly woman have been assaulted on Vancouver's west side today https://t.co/XpZqvBD1g9 in two separate and random assaults.

The second attack happened about two hours later near Broadway and Granville, where a 70 year old woman in a wheelchair was approached by a man who punched her in the face before walking away.

She escaped with minor injuries.

Police describe the man from the first attack as white, in his 20’s, and 5’10” with a medium build and full beard. He was dressed in a dark navy top, a navy ball cap, and was wearing white shoes.

Investigators say witnesses to the second assault weren’t able to provide a description, but believe the nature of the attacks, time, and proximity suggest they could have been done by the same person.

Police are now canvassing the area and collecting video evidence to try and identify the suspect.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Vancouver Police department.